XN000022-1988-10-03 — Page 4

MONDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1988

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GOVERNOR VISITS SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT

SOCIAL WORKERS PLAY A KEY ROLE IN CREATING A MORE CARING SOCIETY, THE GOVERNOR, SIR DAVID WILSON, SAID TODAY (MONDAY) AFTER PAYING A VISIT TO THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

THE GOVERNOR BEGAN HIS VISIT AT THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE.

THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MRS ELIZABETH WONG, EXPLAINED TO SIR DAVID THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN VARIOUS SERVICE AREAS, INCLUDING THE INTRODUCTION OF THE VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION SCHEME FOR PRIVATE ELDERLY HOMES, THE REVIEW OF PRE-SCHOOL SERVICES, AND THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IMPROVED SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS.

SHE ALSO BRIEFED HIM ON THE CURRENT MANPOWER SITUATION AND THE MEASURES BEING TAKEN ΤΟ IMPROVE RECRUITMENT TO COPE WITH THE EXPANSION OF SERVICES IN BOTH THE GOVERNMENT AND SUBVENTED SECTORS.

THE GOVERNOR WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A SHORTFALL OF SOCIAL WORKERS AND THAT ON THE ADVICE OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, SUITABLE NON-SOCIAL-WORK-TRAINED GRADUATES WOULD CONTINUE TO BE RECRUITED AS AN INTERIM MEASURE TO MEET THIS SHORTFALL.

IN ADDITION, MORE IN-SERVICE TRAINING SERVICES WERE BEING HELD TO RAISE STANDARDS.

COURSES IN SPECIALISED

MRS WONG THEN ACCOMPANIED THE GOVERNOR ON A TOUR OF THE HONG KONG REGIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE, WHERE SIR DAVID SAW THE WORK OF THE FAMILY SERVICES CENTRE, THE SOCIAL SECURITY FIELD UNIT, THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY OFFICE AND THE ADOPTION UNIT.

THE GOVERNOR COMMENDED THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY THE FRONT-LINE WORKERS, FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK IN THE FACE OF THE TIGHT MANPOWER SITUATION.

"THE COMMUNITY OWES A DEBT OF GRATITUDE, HE SAID, "TO ALL THOSE WHO DEVOTE THEIR WORKING LIVES TO HELPING THOSE IN NEED.

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